Lung collapsing hammock



NOV 7, 1933- Q. A. GREENWQQD 1,934,302

LUNG COLLAPSING HAMMOCK Filed Nov. 21, 1952 22 awue nfoz Patented Nov.7, 1933 LUNG COLLAPSING HAMMOCK Oscar A. Greenwood, Clarksville, Tex.

Application November 21, 1932 Serial No. 643,756

2 Claims. (01. -327) In treating tuberculosis, it is often necessary oradvisable to collapse one of the patients lungs. This is nowaccomplished usually by plastic surgery, or by having the patient liecontinuously 5 for sixty days or more on a bag of shot or some othersimilar support placed under the affected side. Such supports areexceedingly uncomfortable and the discomfort caused by their use, oftenseriously retards the gains which would otherwise be made by thepatient. .Moreover, the supports are heavy and cumbersome and causenumerous inconveniences not only to the patients but to nurses and otherattendants.

The present invention aimed to provide a new and improved support whichwould be free from such draw-backs as those enumerated, and successfuluse of a number of them has proven that such end has been attained.

The preferred form of the device is illustrated 2Q in the accompanyingdrawing, but variations may be made within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

Fig. 1 is a perspective View showing the device in use.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end elevation.

Figs. 3 and 4 are detail sectional views on lines 33 and 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective View.

In the drawing above briefly described, the

numeral 10 denotes two vertically elongated inherently rigid side frameshaving supports 11 between their ends to rest upon the usual side rails12 of a bed, said side frames being of a height to project severalinches above the mattress 13 and to project to quite an extent below therails 12. A relatively long and narrow sling 14, preferably formed fromcanvas or the like, extends between the upper ends of the frames 10 andis connected th rewith, and a tie 15, preferably a chain, extendsbetween and connects the lower ends of said frames 10, for holding th insling-supporting position.

Each of the side frames 10 is of substantially V-shape, with the upperportions of its side arms 16 disposed in parallel relation, said armsbeing preferably connected between their ends by a horizontal bar 17.Secured to the angular lower end of one of the frames 10, is a verticalplate 18 which spans said end, said plate having an 0 opening 19 inwhich one end of the chain 15 is anchored. A similar plate 18 isprovided for the other frame 10, said plate 18 having a slot 19 withwhich any of the links of the chain 15 may be engaged, to vary theeffective length of 55. said chain according to the width of the bed.

in one end of said reel.

The ends of the sling 14 are provided with hems 20 and 20 which receiverods 21 and 21'. The ends of the rod 21 are connected in any preferredmanner with the arms 16 of one of the frames 10, while the rod 21 andits receiving hem are positioned in a peripheral groove 22 in a reel 23which is journaled between the arms 16 of the other frame. The reel isused for tightening the sling to the required extent and may be lockedagainst retrograde rotation by any preferred means.

Preferably, the ends of the rod 21 arebent laterally at 2% and hookedinto openings 25 in the arms 16 of the adjacent frame 10. The arms 16 ofthe other frame may well be provided with 70. alined openings throughwhich a rod 26 is passed for rotatably mounting the reel 23. For turningthis reel to stretch the sling 14 to the required extent, I provide asuitable lever or the like (not, shown) which may be inserted intoopenings 23 This reel end is, in the present showing, provided with aperipheral flange 27 having spaced openings 28 through any one of whicha locking pin 29 may be passed. This locking pin may merely abut one ofthe arms so 16, or this arm may be formed with an opening 30 throughwhich said pin is passed. By removing pin 29 and engaging an appropriatetool with the openings 16, the reel 23 may be rotated to stretch thesling 1 1 to the required extent. Reinsertion of the pin 29 will thenlook the reel against retrograde rotation.

The patient lies upon the mattress with the affected side supported bythe sling 14, as seen in Fig. 1, for the required length of time tocause the upward pressure of the sling and the downward pressure of thebody, to collapse the affected lung, and throughout this tedious period,the patient is much more comfortable than when supported in conventionalways. Moreover, the improved support causes less trouble andinconvenience to all parties concerned and may be adjusted with easewithout the necessity of disturbing the patient.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising two vertical side framesfor disposition against the side rails of a bed, said frames being ofsubstantially V-shape and having horizontal bars rigidly connecting theintermediate portions of 10 their side arms, supports projectinglaterally inward from said intermediate arm portions to rest on saidside rails, a chain connected with the lower extremities of the two sideframes and having an adjustable connection with one of the 1 on saidside rails, vertical plates at the lower ends of the two side frames andrigidly joined to the lower ends of said side arms thereof, a chainhaving one of its ends secured to one of said plates, the other of saidplates having a notch in which links at the other end of the chain maybe engaged, a sling whose ends extend between the upper ends of saidside arms of said frames, and means connecting said sling ends with saidarm ends.

OSCAR A. GREENWOOD.

